Everything is a fight - bedtime, nap time

Question: How can I help my toddler with transitions? Everything is a fight…bedtime, nap time, changing the pull ups, getting in the car seat… What can I do?

Kimberly says:

Hello mom! I can see how frustrating it is for you to be raising what feels like a future defense attorney. The bucking at every suggestion or action made can be exhausting for a parent to have to endure on a daily basis.

I’m sure this problem wouldn’t be so bad if it were an occasional rebuttal, but it sounds like this is happening just enough to burn the biscuits!!!

What I would like to tell you is that if this is a new behavior, it could be that your child has just begun to learn how to be autonomous and with this new discovery and has really learned how to reign the throne.

By providing some boundaries and opportunities to be autonomous for your little Johnny Cochran could aide in shaping and molding to a good balance of autonomy.

Let’s use nap time as an example. You would want to engage your child in responses that only lead to what you want him to do…nap time!!

For example, Johnny would you like to sleep with Peppa or Sky? Johnny, shall I tuck in Sky or just you? Johnny, pillow or no pillow? Johnny, nightlight or no nightlight? Kiss good night on the forehead or nose?

The conversation / questions are geared around what you’re wanting. No time for rebuttals, but yet they feel in charge!

You are giving your child the desire to be in charge by aiding in his decision process to follow through on what you want him to do.

Now, sometimes this works for the developing toddler that has just learned their newfound independence. However, there are your occasional strong willed kids that need just a little more support with transitions.

Using a chart to help identify the task/routine ahead of time allows kids to ease into transitions, because they know what will come next. You can aid in the decision process by engaging in conversation that will lead to the desired task.

Hope this information helps.

Good luck to you and your budding attorney. :)

#TheresNoPerfectParenting #DontBurnTheBiscuits